The UK government has unveiled plans to invest £2 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, with the goal of establishing the country as a global leader in AI. This significant investment will focus on expanding national AI infrastructure, including the development of new data centers and digital skills initiatives.
The government's plan includes the delivery of new data centers, with a focus on secure, scalable infrastructure to support AI growth. To achieve this, the government will launch "AI Growth Zones" with accelerated planning approvals for data centers, starting in Culham, Oxfordshire. Additionally, initiatives will be implemented to enhance digital skills for future generations, ensuring the UK has a skilled workforce to support AI development.
A key aspect of the plan is to increase the UK's computational capabilities, with a target of a 20-fold increase in compute capacity by 2030. This will be driven by the development of powerful AI supercomputers like Isambard-AI. Furthermore, the UK aims to achieve sovereignty in critical infrastructure, reducing reliance on foreign systems and ensuring the country's ability to deploy AI securely and efficiently.
The development of AI infrastructure in the UK will require significant investment and collaboration between the government and private sector partners. The government is working with companies like Nvidia to advance AI infrastructure and innovation in the UK.
By investing in AI infrastructure, the UK aims to drive economic growth, improve productivity, and enhance public services. The government believes that this investment will help the country remain competitive in the global AI landscape and avoid reliance on foreign infrastructure.
